From Rachel Crossley
HI MOM! (It's late and the legs are telling me it way past bedtime. So, this is the only message I can leave right now.) XOXO
LOVE TO YOU ALL, AS WELL.
From Jerry Weider
On Monday morning I spoke about being called to participate in this ride. Some of us responded to a celestial call, and others of us responded to a temporal call (Sharon Sobel). But no matter which call brought riders to this experience, after the third day of riding, there is no question in my mind that the "call" is going to be necessary to move us up the hills that we will be facing as we ride back up to Jerusalem. I for one, will be putting all of my efforts to do everything necessary to make the effort to fulfill my calling to ride for the support of the reform movement.
From Adam Martin
Day 3 and a very exciting day in Israel, it’s Election Day. Leaving the comfort of the Tel Aviv hotel and back to the somewhat uncomfortable but familiar feel of the bike, we passed through the buzzing streets of Tel Aviv. Election days are ‘holidays’ in Israel so there were lots of people on the streets on the way to their polling station, probably still deciding who to vote for. Will it be Kadima, Meretz, Avoda, Likud and for those people that are dead probably Shas.
We entered the Yarkon Park near Beit Daniel and enjoyed the beautiful scenery eastward along the length of the Yarkon River all the way to the Tel Afek National Park near Rosh Ha’ayn. Our leader was must have also had his mind on the election as we managed to go the wrong way quite a few times. The ‘path’ which at times was more like a gravel track and even sometimes a sandpit was lond and winding, and again I got to see an area of Israel I’ve not seen before.
Lunch today was with the Rosh Ha’ayn congregation. This is a small congregation which is unlike most other Reform communities in Israel, there are only 3 Anglo Saxons!
From here we rode northwest via the city of Ra’anana and the Sharon agricultural area. We concluded today’s ride at Kibbutz Shefayim guest house on the Mediterranean Sea. The Israeli members of the party went to vote whilst the rest of us went out for dinner in Netanya. I was very disappointed not to see a fair and there certainly wasn’t a senorita with flowers in her hair, although the restaurant served very good pate and steak!
Thankfully the distances are getting slightly shorter, we only did 62 kilometres today, and the ride was much flatter with a measly ascent of 212 meters. A slightly more relaxed day to get us ready for a gruelling last two.
Go to www.riding4reform.org to read other riders BLOGS and see pictures.
From Ross Wolman
Wow! Day 3 is done. It was a day both on and off road. But, for me, the most meaningful moment came when we rolled into Rosh Ha'ayin. I served as their cantor for High Holy Days this year. I remember driving there for Rosh Hashanah in my rental car. It seemed like a long drive then, but I had no idea. It was such a thrill to think that I had ridden my bike there from Jerusalem. it was 2 days and 120 miles away (as the bicycle rolls).
Seeing the representatives of the community meant so much for me and what I've been a part of. This year their community had it's first High Holy Day services, it's student rabbi was ordained, and the mayor of the city attended a Friday evening service. It was a great pleasure to be a part of this process. The R4R visit was a wonderful punctuation to my experiences with them.
Other than that I've been enjoying the ride as much as last year. It's much easier with less hills, but there are more challenges in different areas. I didn't get to train as much as I would have liked. The ride has seemed pretty easy thus far, mostly because we have yet to take on a climb. We haven't hit any hills since 1 that we saw on day one near Yad Kennedy and that was familiar to us as it's part of our training ride in Jerusalem.
And for now, I'm quickly fading. Everyone else is in bed and I'm almost done uploading photos. It's been a lot of fun but it will get harder as we begin our climb up to Jerusalem.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Monday, March 27, 2006
Day 2- Blog
From Rabbi Sharon L. Sobel
Day 2 of “Riding4Reform” – Everyone is still smiling! We’re making new friends, getting reacquainted with old friends, commiserating over shared sore “bums” and enjoying seeing this part of Israel from our bikes. This year, for the first time, we have two high school students from Noar Telem riding with us. Noar Telem is the Israeli Reform Movement’s youth movement – Yonatan Sherman, from Kol Haneshama in Jerusalem and Guy Immerman from Kibbutz Yahel. They are doing the ride to raise funds for the scholarship fund for national activities for Noar Telem and they’ve raised about $12,000.00 shekels so far. Kol hakovod to Yonaton and Guy – they are terrific!
Off to finish dinner and to our evening program at Beit Daniel in Tel Aviv. Tomorrow is the Israeli election – it will be an interesting experience to be here during this time.
Erev tov!
FROM MATT SOFFER
This morning Rabbi Weider discussed the title of this week’s parsha, “Vayikra”: “And [Adonai] called.” I was so grateful that he said what he brought this idea before us, during Shacharit. I won’t expand too much upon his d’var torah—I’ll leave his rumination for a blog entry of his own—but I would like to personalize it. The gist: we are all “called” in some way; that’s why we’re putting our bodies through 5 days of intense riding. We all heard something; maybe not literally from God, maybe a figurative whisper, echoed through human voices. In my first month of being here, I heard a very compelling call.
It was Shabbat, and as those who know me best know, I love playing my guitar on Shabbat. I sat in “Liberty Bell” park, across from my apartment, and played. It was a beautiful day, the perfect day to sing with friends. While my friends and I played, sang, and rejoiced in our own corner of this park, a man and his wife swerved from the path of our walking to approach me. He called me: “slicha…”
“Me?”
“Yes – ah, you speak English.”
Needless to say, our singing stopped.
“Are you Jewish?”
“You bet. Shabbat Shalom.”
“You know…you are not supposed to play a guitar on Shabbat.”
I was shocked. “Excuse me?”
“It is against Shabbos to play your guitar.”
A pause, before I continued: “I see. Well, that’s not exactly how I observe Shabbat.”
“What do you mean?”
“I observe Shabbat differently.”
He seemed slightly baffled. Perhaps, to him, I seemed slightly ridiculous. “Ok…well…Shabbat Shalom.”
“Yes, Shabbat Shalom.”
After Rabbi Weider spoke of “calling,” I thought about what kinds of calls compelled me to ride. In the hardest part of the ride, the question arose once again. And the answer was simple: I signed up because of his call. This man, who interrupted my Shabbat celebration, my own personal oneg, was my call. He made an assumption that frankly the majority of Israelis make every single day: that Orthodox is the only way to practice Judaism, legitimately. He joined the voice of the majority—the voice of the government, and the myriad of state-employed Orthodox rabbis; the voice that supports the Orthodox monopoly on Jewish expression.
The bright side is that he wished me “Shabbat Shalom.” This man, after all, felt that he was doing a mitzvah; can’t I be glad that a man is seeking to perform a mitzvah for what he thinks is my best interest? This bright side resounded in my head for many months afterwards. I managed to find a bit of satisfaction in his salutation. But there comes a point when a friendly hello or goodbye doesn’t quite go the distance. But the echo of this man’s call is precisely what is enabling me to go this distance. I dream of an Israel that celebrates the plurality of Jewish expression; an Israel that understands the many faces of our people—the many diverse voices…the many calls, the many responses. Today, his ignorance was the call and this ride is my response.
MDS
Yonatan Sherman
I am not sure about the rest of you, but today was very very easy!!! I thought it was a good rout for the second day of the ride. Today I got a chance to talk to a lot more riders and I met some new friends. The more we ride the happier I am I joined, this ride has a big importance the impj. The meeting of people from u.s.a, Canada and Israel is great!!!
I am hoping to continue in having a good ride tomorrow.
By the way- the “gamad anak” game is great and fun!
Good night
Yonatan Sherman
-Guy Immerman
Today was much better to me that yesterday. I enjoyed the ride and I saw some cool stuff along the way.
Tomorrow is Election Day and I’m really excited to know what the future hold for our little country.
I also heard that Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church Virginia helped sponsor me in this ride. Thank you for all those involved. It means a lot to me participate in the ride. I’m having a blast! Thanks again!!!
We’re about to go out to “Biet Daniel” to meet the community. Some of my friends are gonna be there.
I hope to go to McDonald’s later tonight, but that a whole different story..
Good night and good luck,
Yours,
Guy Immerman
Day 2 of “Riding4Reform” – Everyone is still smiling! We’re making new friends, getting reacquainted with old friends, commiserating over shared sore “bums” and enjoying seeing this part of Israel from our bikes. This year, for the first time, we have two high school students from Noar Telem riding with us. Noar Telem is the Israeli Reform Movement’s youth movement – Yonatan Sherman, from Kol Haneshama in Jerusalem and Guy Immerman from Kibbutz Yahel. They are doing the ride to raise funds for the scholarship fund for national activities for Noar Telem and they’ve raised about $12,000.00 shekels so far. Kol hakovod to Yonaton and Guy – they are terrific!
Off to finish dinner and to our evening program at Beit Daniel in Tel Aviv. Tomorrow is the Israeli election – it will be an interesting experience to be here during this time.
Erev tov!
FROM MATT SOFFER
This morning Rabbi Weider discussed the title of this week’s parsha, “Vayikra”: “And [Adonai] called.” I was so grateful that he said what he brought this idea before us, during Shacharit. I won’t expand too much upon his d’var torah—I’ll leave his rumination for a blog entry of his own—but I would like to personalize it. The gist: we are all “called” in some way; that’s why we’re putting our bodies through 5 days of intense riding. We all heard something; maybe not literally from God, maybe a figurative whisper, echoed through human voices. In my first month of being here, I heard a very compelling call.
It was Shabbat, and as those who know me best know, I love playing my guitar on Shabbat. I sat in “Liberty Bell” park, across from my apartment, and played. It was a beautiful day, the perfect day to sing with friends. While my friends and I played, sang, and rejoiced in our own corner of this park, a man and his wife swerved from the path of our walking to approach me. He called me: “slicha…”
“Me?”
“Yes – ah, you speak English.”
Needless to say, our singing stopped.
“Are you Jewish?”
“You bet. Shabbat Shalom.”
“You know…you are not supposed to play a guitar on Shabbat.”
I was shocked. “Excuse me?”
“It is against Shabbos to play your guitar.”
A pause, before I continued: “I see. Well, that’s not exactly how I observe Shabbat.”
“What do you mean?”
“I observe Shabbat differently.”
He seemed slightly baffled. Perhaps, to him, I seemed slightly ridiculous. “Ok…well…Shabbat Shalom.”
“Yes, Shabbat Shalom.”
After Rabbi Weider spoke of “calling,” I thought about what kinds of calls compelled me to ride. In the hardest part of the ride, the question arose once again. And the answer was simple: I signed up because of his call. This man, who interrupted my Shabbat celebration, my own personal oneg, was my call. He made an assumption that frankly the majority of Israelis make every single day: that Orthodox is the only way to practice Judaism, legitimately. He joined the voice of the majority—the voice of the government, and the myriad of state-employed Orthodox rabbis; the voice that supports the Orthodox monopoly on Jewish expression.
The bright side is that he wished me “Shabbat Shalom.” This man, after all, felt that he was doing a mitzvah; can’t I be glad that a man is seeking to perform a mitzvah for what he thinks is my best interest? This bright side resounded in my head for many months afterwards. I managed to find a bit of satisfaction in his salutation. But there comes a point when a friendly hello or goodbye doesn’t quite go the distance. But the echo of this man’s call is precisely what is enabling me to go this distance. I dream of an Israel that celebrates the plurality of Jewish expression; an Israel that understands the many faces of our people—the many diverse voices…the many calls, the many responses. Today, his ignorance was the call and this ride is my response.
MDS
Yonatan Sherman
I am not sure about the rest of you, but today was very very easy!!! I thought it was a good rout for the second day of the ride. Today I got a chance to talk to a lot more riders and I met some new friends. The more we ride the happier I am I joined, this ride has a big importance the impj. The meeting of people from u.s.a, Canada and Israel is great!!!
I am hoping to continue in having a good ride tomorrow.
By the way- the “gamad anak” game is great and fun!
Good night
Yonatan Sherman
-Guy Immerman
Today was much better to me that yesterday. I enjoyed the ride and I saw some cool stuff along the way.
Tomorrow is Election Day and I’m really excited to know what the future hold for our little country.
I also heard that Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church Virginia helped sponsor me in this ride. Thank you for all those involved. It means a lot to me participate in the ride. I’m having a blast! Thanks again!!!
We’re about to go out to “Biet Daniel” to meet the community. Some of my friends are gonna be there.
I hope to go to McDonald’s later tonight, but that a whole different story..
Good night and good luck,
Yours,
Guy Immerman
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Day 1 Blog
Day 1 - March 26, 2006
From: Rabbi Sharon L. Sobel
We began from Kehillat Mevaksei Derech in Jerusalem and rode 54.484 miles today..mostly level, downhill with beautiful vistas of the Jerusalem area hills, farmland and valleys. It’s a great group of riders some are 3-year veterans of “Riding4Reform”, some are 2-year veterans, and some are “newbies”, but everyone was in great spirits and we ended the day in high spirits. We’re looking forward to 4 more days of riding!
From Michael Loftus
Ok – everyone is gonna blog how easy it was, how scenic the path down from Jerusalem, just how lovely it all was. Horse pucks! It’s a myth that we went DOWN.. we actually went UP. And it was TOUGH. We’re talking bone chunching, sweat pouring, cursing, tough slugging. Very few thought they would survive. It was all we could do to keep going. Dalya and the others were driving by with whips, so anyone caught lagging behind would suffer their indignities. But… we did make it. Ok ok.. so it’s wasn’t that tough. But I couldn’t find any shampoo in the hotel room, so I just want to put everything into perspective.
Karen Perolman. First Year. Rabbinic- NY bound. Day 1:
Today was a really good day. That doesn’t mean it was an easy day. The downhills were hard (and bumpy), the uphills were hard—actually the entire day was challenging, but very doable. I also found out that I have to eat every 30 minutes to prevent me from feeling lightheaded and tired- Thanks to Rachael for being my food buddy! Now we’re at the kibbutz and after a hot shower and a good meal, I’m feeling sore- especially in my forearms, palms and back and sleepy- I am going to sleep well tonight! Lehit until tomorrow!
From: Guy Immerman & Yonatan Sherman - Noar Telem Representatives:
Hello world! We’re having a great time out here. We are very happy we decided to join and even happier to find out that the ride isn’t that hard (Yonatan wanted to write that, Guy doesn’t agree).
In case you don’t know us, we are Guy & Yonatan. We are active in the Reform Youth movement- “NOAR TELEM”. We are the youngest participants in the ride (17 years old). We really like the food in this Kibbutz. We also like the other riders, they are funny.. we will definitely write again. Expect us… we have candy..
PS- check out our youth movement’s website: www.noartelem.org.il – it’s fun!
Yours sincerely,
Guy & Yonatan :-)
From: Jerry Weider
What a day! It started with a car getting in my way as I made a left hand turn….. actually he did not stop and hit me! But alas, we were going quite slowly and no, I was not hurt at all. Then, as we started going on the hill, off road, I got a “puncture”! (flat tire)…… damn, I have not gotten a flat for years. So, I had to take care of that. Once the tire was fixed I joined the ride with abandon, and it was abandon as we biked down from Jerusalem…… down, down, and down (except for one hard up hill). It was an amazing ride following nachal Sorek, a stream, and the old rail road tracks…..we even saw several trains go past. We rolled into the Israel flatlands and were reminded about the agricultural base of the country, something that is so easily forgotten in the cities.
After 45 miles, we rolled into Sde Yoav kibbutz guest house.
I am really glad that I made it, after my difficult start, and I am looking forward to tomorrow.
From: Rabbi Sharon L. Sobel
We began from Kehillat Mevaksei Derech in Jerusalem and rode 54.484 miles today..mostly level, downhill with beautiful vistas of the Jerusalem area hills, farmland and valleys. It’s a great group of riders some are 3-year veterans of “Riding4Reform”, some are 2-year veterans, and some are “newbies”, but everyone was in great spirits and we ended the day in high spirits. We’re looking forward to 4 more days of riding!
From Michael Loftus
Ok – everyone is gonna blog how easy it was, how scenic the path down from Jerusalem, just how lovely it all was. Horse pucks! It’s a myth that we went DOWN.. we actually went UP. And it was TOUGH. We’re talking bone chunching, sweat pouring, cursing, tough slugging. Very few thought they would survive. It was all we could do to keep going. Dalya and the others were driving by with whips, so anyone caught lagging behind would suffer their indignities. But… we did make it. Ok ok.. so it’s wasn’t that tough. But I couldn’t find any shampoo in the hotel room, so I just want to put everything into perspective.
Karen Perolman. First Year. Rabbinic- NY bound. Day 1:
Today was a really good day. That doesn’t mean it was an easy day. The downhills were hard (and bumpy), the uphills were hard—actually the entire day was challenging, but very doable. I also found out that I have to eat every 30 minutes to prevent me from feeling lightheaded and tired- Thanks to Rachael for being my food buddy! Now we’re at the kibbutz and after a hot shower and a good meal, I’m feeling sore- especially in my forearms, palms and back and sleepy- I am going to sleep well tonight! Lehit until tomorrow!
From: Guy Immerman & Yonatan Sherman - Noar Telem Representatives:
Hello world! We’re having a great time out here. We are very happy we decided to join and even happier to find out that the ride isn’t that hard (Yonatan wanted to write that, Guy doesn’t agree).
In case you don’t know us, we are Guy & Yonatan. We are active in the Reform Youth movement- “NOAR TELEM”. We are the youngest participants in the ride (17 years old). We really like the food in this Kibbutz. We also like the other riders, they are funny.. we will definitely write again. Expect us… we have candy..
PS- check out our youth movement’s website: www.noartelem.org.il – it’s fun!
Yours sincerely,
Guy & Yonatan :-)
From: Jerry Weider
What a day! It started with a car getting in my way as I made a left hand turn….. actually he did not stop and hit me! But alas, we were going quite slowly and no, I was not hurt at all. Then, as we started going on the hill, off road, I got a “puncture”! (flat tire)…… damn, I have not gotten a flat for years. So, I had to take care of that. Once the tire was fixed I joined the ride with abandon, and it was abandon as we biked down from Jerusalem…… down, down, and down (except for one hard up hill). It was an amazing ride following nachal Sorek, a stream, and the old rail road tracks…..we even saw several trains go past. We rolled into the Israel flatlands and were reminded about the agricultural base of the country, something that is so easily forgotten in the cities.
After 45 miles, we rolled into Sde Yoav kibbutz guest house.
I am really glad that I made it, after my difficult start, and I am looking forward to tomorrow.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Pre-Ride Blog: Karen Perolman
Karen Perolman, first year Rabbinical student, NY-bound. T- 41 hours before the ride. The question at hand is, How am I feeling? Ayekah?
This year, I have answered that question [where am i?] about a hundred times. I feel like we're always being asked to look back, reflect, and evaluate. So where am I now?
I'm here. In my room, in Jerusalem. A year ago, I had just been accepted. In 2 1/2 months I'm moving back to the states. Its a funny place to be in. But I'm good- I'm about to do something really challenging, something that a year ago I could enver have pictured myself doing.
I'm feeling good. I'm in the best shape that I can remember, for a long time, and I hope that my body is physically ready to handle this. I don't know that I trained enough, or in the right way, but nonetheless, I'm feeling good. However, one's physical abilities are often linked with mental focus and self confidence. Mentally I am feeling kind of scared and nervous about what I'm about to take on. I'm excited to meet the other riders and to see what all of our time and money is going to. I'm excited and proud to be doing something for the IMPJ-- a cause that I really support.
I love the feeling of riding and being so awed by the nature- the mountains, the green, the trees-- all of it. Riding my bike in Israel makes me fall in love all over again with this land, and in turn makes me fall in love with what I want to do with my life. I'm really looking forward to the stillness of the mornings and the sense of anticipation that I know I'll feel.
I know that I'm going to be sore, and that I'll hurt here and there. But I'm prepared with my bike shorts, comfy socks, special food bandaids, lots of ibprofin and my cool new bike helmet. So even if I'm super sore, I'll still look cute.
Pre-Ride Blog: Daniel Schwartz
A quick entry to let you know who I am and why I am doing this…My name is Daniel Schwartz. I am the
This is my third year participating in the Ride 4 Reform which raises money for and brings a message of support to the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (the URJ of Israel).
I am participating in the ride for a number of reasons:
1. The IMPJ (Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism) is a valuable organization that is worth supporting. Through their efforts, they are helping to establish progressive Judaism and progressive thought in
2. I love biking and being in
3. The wonderful support that I have. It feels like the moment I returned from the ride last year, I already had people encouraging me to return for a third year. The campers, staff and faculty of the URJ – Goldman Union Camp made the first donation this past summer which inspired me to return. Since then, I have received many donations, notes and messages from my family, friends, youth groupers, rabbis (ranging from my home congregation [Temple Israel in St. Louis] to the rabbis I work with at camp to the rabbis here in Cincinnati), co-workers, fellow riders from previous years who aren’t able to participate and, of course, my fellow HUC students and teachers in Cincinnati, Los Angeles and New York. Without all of their support and encouragement, I would never be able to do this.
4. The Ride. It is well organized and a great challenge. We have a wonderful course each year and a wonderful team of people who make sure that we, the riders, are treated like royalty. The riders from the past two year have been a great group. They are there to have a good time and enjoy the ride. In addition to the great rides and people, there are also wonderful activities planned for us each evening that teach us more about the IMPJ congregations around Israel and Israel in general.
I can’t wait to be there and start the ride. I’m off to pack…
Pre-Ride Blog: Rachel Crossley & Daniel Schwartz
In many of our congregations, we are familiar with the Mi Shebeirach L’Holeh during which we invoke a blessing for those who are sick. While we aren’t sick or sore yet (ask us after the ride), we were preparing to leave for Israel and this morning had the honor of being called up to the Torah to recite the blessings over the Torah and to receive another type of Mi Shebeirach – a Mi Shebeirach for those who are traveling to Israel.
Before reading the traditional prayer, our Cantor,
For us this morning, being called up before our community of classmates and professors in order to receive the Mi Shebeirach also reminded us of the importance and meaning of visiting
In order to share our journey more fully with everyone, we decided to share this picture from our flight to
-Rachel Crossley and Daniel Schwartz
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Pre-Ride Blog: Michael Loftus
As I prepare for what I'm sure will be another great ride, I feel obliged to share a tip most often neglected. In packing for such a journey, so many people concentrate on clothes, bathroom toiletries, books, ipods. repair kits etc. And yet, once out there, it dawns on them the perhaps the most important thing has been left at home; I speak of course, of excuses!
Imagine yourself out on a beautiful day, you get a bit tired, and want an excuse to slow down. But.. you forgot your excuses at home, or back in the hotel. Trying to ride without any excuses is simply not fun. Yes, you can borrow an excuse from some other rider but often the excuse just doesn't fit. For example, the `I'm too old' excuse just doesn't look good on everybody. The `I'm not in shape' wont fit many people. So, when packing, always remember to bring plenty of excuses, generic ones, personal ones, good solid ones that can be used and reused.
Excuses - DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THEM!!
Pre-Ride Blog: Daniel Schwartz
A quick entry to let you know who I am and why I am doing this…My name is Daniel Schwartz. I am the NFTY- Ohio Valley Regional Advisor. I am also a third year rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, OH.
This is my third year participating in the Ride 4 Reform which raises money for and brings a message of support to the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (the URJ of Israel).
I am participating in the ride for a number of reasons:
1. The IMPJ (Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism) is a valuable organization that is worth supporting. Through their efforts, they are helping to establish progressive Judaism and progressive thought in Israel. Their programs and services in turn help to create a stronger and more tolerant Jewish State.
2. I love biking and being in Israel. This is a great way to combine these two passions and to explore Israel by getting off the beaten path and seeing it in a way that many sabras (native Israelis) never do.
3. The wonderful support that I have. It feels like the moment I returned from the ride last year, I already had people encouraging me to return for a third year. The campers, staff and faculty of the URJ – Goldman Union Camp made the first donation this past summer which inspired me to return. Since then, I have received many donations, notes and messages from my family, friends, youth groupers, rabbis (ranging from my home congregation [Temple Israel in St. Louis] to the rabbis I work with at camp to the rabbis here in Cincinnati), co-workers, fellow riders from previous years who aren’t able to participate and, of course, my fellow HUC students and teachers in Cincinnati, Los Angeles and New York. Without all of their support and encouragement, I would never be able to do this.
4. The Ride. It is well organized and a great challenge. We have a wonderful course each year and a wonderful team of people who make sure that we, the riders, are treated like royalty. The riders from the past two year have been a great group. They are there to have a good time and enjoy the ride. In addition to the great rides and people, there are also wonderful activities planned for us each evening that teach us more about the IMPJ congregations around Israel and Israel in general.
I can’t wait to be there and start the ride. I’m off to pack…
Pre-Ride Blog: Daniel Schwartz
A quick entry to let you know who I am and why I am doing this…My name is Daniel Schwartz. I am the NFTY- Ohio Valley Regional Advisor. I am also a third year rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, OH.
This is my third year participating in the Ride 4 Reform which raises money for and brings a message of support to the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (the URJ of Israel).
I am participating in the ride for a number of reasons:
1. The IMPJ (Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism) is a valuable organization that is worth supporting. Through their efforts, they are helping to establish progressive Judaism and progressive thought in Israel. Their programs and services in turn help to create a stronger and more tolerant Jewish State.
2. I love biking and being in Israel. This is a great way to combine these two passions and to explore Israel by getting off the beaten path and seeing it in a way that many sabras (native Israelis) never do.
3. The wonderful support that I have. It feels like the moment I returned from the ride last year, I already had people encouraging me to return for a third year. The campers, staff and faculty of the URJ – Goldman Union Camp made the first donation this past summer which inspired me to return. Since then, I have received many donations, notes and messages from my family, friends, youth groupers, rabbis (ranging from my home congregation [Temple Israel in St. Louis] to the rabbis I work with at camp to the rabbis here in Cincinnati), co-workers, fellow riders from previous years who aren’t able to participate and, of course, my fellow HUC students and teachers in Cincinnati, Los Angeles and New York. Without all of their support and encouragement, I would never be able to do this.
4. The Ride. It is well organized and a great challenge. We have a wonderful course each year and a wonderful team of people who make sure that we, the riders, are treated like royalty. The riders from the past two year have been a great group. They are there to have a good time and enjoy the ride. In addition to the great rides and people, there are also wonderful activities planned for us each evening that teach us more about the IMPJ congregations around Israel and Israel in general.
I can’t wait to be there and start the ride. I’m off to pack…
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Pre-Ride Blog: Rabbi Sharon Sobel
I’m looking forward to this year’s ride. It’s my third year in a row participating. There’s a group of us who’ve been there from the beginning, and everyone is truly terrific. This year, I have raised almost $22,000.00 so far for Riding4Reform! Not bad for one little person, eh?! (I think this is still – for the third year in a row – the most funds raised by one single person. Dalya will have to confirm that). And I still have funds coming in!!!
Why do I do this ride? I am doing this on behalf of ARZA Canada - the Zionist arm of the Reform movement in Canada - for several reasons:
1) to show my solidarity and support for the IMPJ in person;
2) to raise awareness here in Canada about the IMPJ and its programs and needs;
3) to show my solidarity and support for Israel.
4) to help raise much needed funds for the IMPJ's educational programs;
and 5) because I love to cycle – but not so much on those Israeli rocks (I’m an “on-road” cyclist)!
I am so fortunate to have found a great friend and riding partner in David Benninga, the Treasurer of the IMPJ. He and I do the ride on a tandem bike – because then he can navigate those vicious rocks for me! So, I raise lots of money and he helps me get over the rocks! Not such a bad deal. (Plus, he gets to tell me what to do: “pedal harder! Push! Go, go, go!”) We’re a team!
OK – time to clean off my desk and pack. See y’all in Israel – I fly out tomorrow!
Sharon
Pre-Ride Blog: Rachael Bregman
The ride begins in a few days. People keep asking me if I am ready and I have been thinking a great deal about that…No one ever asks how the getting ready has been going. The assumption is that the most important thing is BEING ready, not the GETTING ready. On the other hand, I am actually in the middle of studying the first book of Kings. We are up to chapter 9 where the temple has been built after all this work and the warning from God is don’t think because you got here, that the work is done. It is easy to be complacent. The process of getting here is critically important but it is also what you do with that preparation that matters.
So preparation and performance are inextricably linked. You need to prepare to perform well because performing well is critical. But without good preparation, there is no performance.
So I want to answer both those questions-my feelings about the prep and the performance.
The getting ready was going great until a few weeks ago. We, team HUC have been riding together on Friday mornings for the last two or three months. I am lucky to be part of such a great team of people. I really enjoy spending time with everyone on the team. I am enjoying the interplay between being motivated and motivating. I even enjoyed taking the hills because it means someone else will be riding with me and we will be talking and learning a bit about one another.
I even have felt physically ready and strong enough to do this.
And then, a few weeks ago (4), I went to the Ukraine with a group of teenagers from Boston and Haifa. It was a wonderful experience. But it wiped me out. Not enough sleep around many teens carrying all these foreign germs from the US and then all the foreign germs in the Ukraine etc etc. I picked up some cold which I have not been able to kick. So, I have gone on one ride and one run in 4 weeks. And now I am worried.
Will my body hold up? Will I make it?
I just put clipless clips on to my shoes and replaced my pedals with little hooks to attach my feet to. It is supposed to make the riding much easier but mostly, it makes me feel like I will fall into a jumbled heap of rocks, dirt and bicycle without the ability to free myself from it. As long as I can avoid that experience near the edge of anything steep, I think I will be ok.
Last year, I spent a bunch of time on the bus-more than I would I have liked. I want to avoid that.
But that brings me to this place where I wrestle. Getting ready has been an incredible experience, even if the last month has not completely worked out. The process matters. The ride will come and go so quickly, what I will be left with is not just whether or not I succeeded on the ride, but did I succeed in preparing for the ride, which I feel I have.
…all things being equal.
Do I feel like I am READY for the ride? This question in my mind means, do I feel like I am ready to sit on that bike and cheerily ride along for 5 days without complaint or discomfort…
No, I do not think so. Some parts are going to be really hard. Riding into Jerusalem is going to…well, kick my tush (because it is my tush which hurts the most when I am taking the hills) Sometimes, I get bored and I am worried about that. Sometimes, I just need to complain and get wound up in my complaints which makes it difficult to enjoy the riding. Sometimes, I forget to enjoy the world around me and I just dwell in the aches and struggle.
And I know that both aches and struggle is coming
But I am looking forward to many things-many, many things. Riding for 5 days is a gift. Five days outside and seeing the world, this world. Rachel Crossley will be here shortly and I am so excited to see her and have time with my friend. Plus all the people I know who are returning. Seeing them all is such a joy. The time both on and off the bike should be so much fun!! Plus, this event is the one year anniversary of meeting Ross and getting together with him. There is so much to celebrate in this event.
Pre-Ride Blog - Rabbi Jerry Weider
This ride is one of the important parts of my sabbatical in Jerusalem and I am really excited about it. I have done some training at YMCA, with spinning classes, but the real thing is coming up and when the rubber hits the road, you simply never know. I know from previous rides like this that group encouragement and dynamics is an important part of the success for the ride. I am looking forward to working with everyone to make the ride a big success for all the riders. I'm ready to get into it, so here we go.
Rabbi Jerry Weider Brooklyn, New York
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